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Allure of Fort Stevens State Park

Children explore the rusty remains of the century-old shipwreck Peter Iredale along the beach at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014.(Photo: DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal)Buy Photo

The gated entrance to Fort Stevens at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

The view from an elevated dock at the South Jetty at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

The view from an elevated dock at the South Jetty at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

For a scenic swimming or picnicking area, check out Coffenbury Lake at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

A wildlife photography blind at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

Battery Russell at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

A cement staircase leads to Battery Russell at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

A foxglove grows along a staircase leading to Battery Russell at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. Statesman Journal

Battery Russell at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

Battery Russell at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

European beach grass outlines the banks of the South Jetty at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

Brown pelicans fly past the South Jetty at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

Elk graze near the gated entrance to Fort Stevens near Astoria on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. DANIELLE PETERSON / Statesman Journal

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It ran ashore more than a century ago, but the rusty, barnacle-covered remains of the shipwreck Peter Iredale still lures visitors to the Clatsop Spit at Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria. Pieces of the ship's skeleton protrude from the sand, creating an historical playground for curious visitors.

About four miles north at the mouth of the Columbia River, is an observation tower at the South Jetty that allows visitors to see where the mighty river meets the ocean. Tall European beach grass outlines the gravel path leading to the tower. It can be reached by hiking north along the beach (from the shipwreck) or by driving to the South Jetty parking area.

The 4,200-acre park featuring a historic military fort, which was in service during the Civil War to the end of World War II, has much to explore. For a scenic swimming or picnicking area, check out Coffenbury Lake.

djpeterson@salem.gannett.com or follow at Twitter.com/DPetersonSJ

If you go

Directions: Take Interstate 5 north, Highway 26 west, Highway 101 north to Highway 104. Watch for Fort Stevens State Park signs. There are multiple entrances to the park.